An advocacy organisation, Gender Mobile Initiative, has called on all tertiary institutions of learning in the country to have an anti-sexual harassment policy to prevent the menace, punish offenders, and deter those nursing the thought.
The convener of the group, Barr Omowumi Ogunrotimi, condemned the prevalence of sexual harassment at institutions of learning, warning that it could desecrate the sanctity of the educational system if not promptly arrested.
“One of the negative impacts of the menace of sexual harassment is its adverse effects on mental health of survivors and victims,” she said, adding that with diligent enforcement of the outcome of the conference, perpetrators will know that it is not business as usual.
Ogunrotimi spoke at a Consultative Policy Dissemination and Implementation Conference of Stakeholders on Sexual Harassment Prevention in Tertiary Education Institutions in Nigeria, according to a statement on Sunday.
The programme which was held at the Continental Hotel in Abuja was organised by Gender Mobile Initiative in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. The event was attended by the ICPC boss, Musa Aliyu; Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman; Minister of State for Education, Tanko Sununu; Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye;
Ogunrotimi urged universities, polytechnics, monotechnic and colleges of education in the country to take advantage of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy model for educational institutions developed at the programme. She asked Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts of institutions to domesticate the model in their respective schools for efficiency in the fight against sexual harassment on campuses.
“The model policy serves as a guideline for what a comprehensive policy should be for institutions.
A platform should be set up where students can make reports on sexual harassment and the NANS will ensure that issues bordering on sexual harassment are addressed with support from the President.”
She also suggested that tertiary institutions have complaint and redress desks, co-managed by the NUC legal desk for reports to be objectively investigated.
On the policy model, the Gender Mobile boss said, “The policy document has 2 segments: one for primary and secondary schools and one for tertiary institutions. The policy is enriched by machinery that can be set in motion as it has a very broad-based definition.
“The policy has 3 main objectives: To sensitize the institution’s community about the ills of sexual harassment and thereby engender collective responsibility for eradicating it; to establish an institutional framework that encourages victims of sexual harassment to exercise their rights, maintain their dignity and resist submission to its pressures; and to take appropriate action to eliminate sexual harassment at the institution level.
“The Basic guiding principles of the policy include Compassion, support, and assistance to survivors; Fair hearing, support, and inclusion; Prompt attention; Confidentiality and privacy; Protection from retaliation; Effective sanctions for policy violation; Respect for freedom of expression including academic freedom; and Integrity of the academic system.
“On Responsibilities for institutions: there should be platforms available to submit reports and there should be no restrictions on how such cases should be reported as there should be room for anonymous reporting and support for victims.
“Key points from the policy: There is a need to make a concerted effort from the Institutional head down the line of authority to make the policy work; The National University Commission should make it mandatory for institutions to have a policy to check sexual harassment and this applies to the NBTE and NCCE. Gender Mobile Initiative should make a push for any staff dismissed on the grounds of sexual harassment to never be employed again in any institution in Nigeria.
“The unlikely scenario where interest between staff and student is genuine should be documented formally by the parties involved; Institutions should modify the model policy and create a safe environment for their students; Beyond orientations for new students, institutions should also hold orientations for staff; Let there be provision for reporting channel for students which should be wide-ranged; There should be no specific form or way of reporting.
“Victims should be free to express themselves however they deem fit; the head of committee should be an administrator who will be able to relate to the experience of the victim better; there should be room for anonymous reporting and provide support for the victim to help them not to face further stress and There should be timelines attached to every report, penalty should range from caution to outright dismissals; The policy frowns against false reporting and proposes sanctions for such; and the policy should be reviewed between 3 –5 years.”
